Abandoned by All I Took It All Back novel Chapter 176

"I should be the one giving you youngsters gifts. I didn't prepare anything. Well, I'll get you all something next year."

It wasn't that he hadn't prepared; it was that he had no money.

It was only then that the Holt family realized that Fairchild didn't have any money of his own.

Not long after Fairchild had joined their family, Janina had bought him a phone. But because he was undocumented, he couldn't get a bank card.

These days, cash was rarely used; everyone paid for things online. They had been buying everything for Fairchild, treating him like a child who just had to ask for what he needed.

No one had stopped to consider that he was an adult who might need his own personal funds.

The family exchanged glances, deciding they would withdraw some cash for Fairchild tomorrow.

This year, the Holt family home was filled with exceptional joy.

After the fireworks, the family gathered in the living room to chat and watch the New Year's specials on TV.

Fairchild wasn't a fan of television and insisted on playing cards.

The three Holt brothers joined him for a game of "Shedding."

Nolan acted as his advisor from the sidelines, but his guidance always seemed to make Fairchild lose even more spectacularly.

"Nolan! You try giving me bad advice one more time!" Fairchild leaped up, pretending he was about to hit him.

Nolan dodged behind Easton. "Sorry, my mistake!"

The two clowns had everyone roaring with laughter.

Janina, Natalie Holt, and Seven sat on the rug, snacking and chatting.

The sisters listened as Seven told them about his interesting high school life.

Ethan and Grace sat near the card game, watching the brothers play and occasionally chiming in on Janina's conversation.

Ethan brought over some fresh fruit, a smile on his face as he took in the joyful scene.

This was the most complete family reunion the Holts had had in over twenty years.

Just as they exited the community, they saw a stylishly dressed girl walking toward them with an air of arrogance.

Her eyes fell on Janina and her siblings, and she loudly addressed the woman beside her.

"Look, that bitch has hooked a new guy. No wonder she never has a steady boyfriend—she's just stringing them all along."

"Keep your voice down, you don't want her to hear you. There are three of them, you know."

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm just telling the truth. She only gets good sales numbers because she uses her looks. Everyone knows she plays dirty."

Janina frowned. At first, she thought they were talking about someone else, but the women kept glancing their way.

Janina looked over and saw Natalie with her head slightly bowed, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white. She looked like she was about to explode.

The two women were Natalie's colleagues, May and Fannie. They were related and worked at the same jewelry store as Natalie.

May and Fannie always seemed to have it out for Natalie.

Simply because Natalie's sales figures were better than theirs, they held a grudge and never missed a chance to put her down.